Maharashtra: Baramati, Rahuri bypolls set for contest as Congress gets high command approval

For Rahuri bypoll, BJP has fielded Akshay Kardile, son of late MLA Shivajirao. Pic/X/@kardileakshay; (right) Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Vasantrao Sapkal. Pic/X/@INCHarshsapkal

The Congress has signalled that the upcoming by-elections in Baramati and Rahuri are unlikely to be unopposed.

With the party's high command giving a green light, the state Congress leadership thinks that there should be a contest for both seats, which have fallen vacant after the deaths of deputy chief minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar and BJP MLA Shivajirao Kardile.

State Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal said the party has got approval from its high command to contest the Assembly bypolls. Speaking to reporters, he said the Congress will first hold discussions with its MVA allies before taking a final call.

Poll schedule

The by-elections were necessitated following the deaths of Ajit Pawar, who represented Baramati, and Shivajirao Kardile, the sitting MLA from Rahuri. As per the schedule announced by the Election Commission, voting for both constituencies will be held on April 23, while the counting of votes is set for May 4.

BJP wants unopposed election

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had last month said that ideally, the upcoming by-elections to the Baramati and Rahuri Assembly seats should go unopposed but added that the government is fully prepared in case voting takes place.

Candidates in fray

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, wife of late Ajit Pawar, will file her nomination papers from Baramati, while the BJP has fielded Akshay Kardile, son of late MLA Shivajirao, for the Rahuri by-election.